Population decline forecast

France may lose 3.6 million residents by 2070 due to an aging population, increased retirements, and falling birth rates, according to a report by the Economic, Social and Environmental Council (Cese). The report predicts that the number of people aged 65 and older will grow from 14.8 million to 19.6 million over the same period.

Workforce shrinkage

A quarter of France’s active workforce is expected to retire within the next ten years, impacting 7.4 million people. Sectors like home help, agriculture, and hospitality will face severe labor shortages, with some professions potentially losing more than a third of their current workers.

Aging demographics

The aging population, largely due to the large baby boomer generation, will result in a significant increase in people aged 75 to 84, rising from 4.1 million to 6.1 million between 2020 and 2030. This shift will increase demand for care services, prompting calls to strengthen prevention, general practice, and coordination between healthcare and social support systems.

Education system impact

The decline in birth rates, with 644,000 babies born in 2025—nearly a quarter less than in 2010—will affect the National Education system. Schools could lose nearly 1.7 million students by 2035, offering an opportunity to improve public education through measures such as smaller class sizes, better consultation times, and adapting school infrastructure to address climate change.